Buying a home is exciting, but a handful of checks up front save you from expensive surprises later. Work through this list before any money changes hands.
1. Confirm who really owns it
Ask for the Certificate of Title (or Certificate of Right of Occupancy) and check the name on it matches the seller's National ID or passport. If the seller is acting for someone else, ask for a written, signed power of attorney.
2. Do an official title search
A search at the Land Registry confirms the title is genuine, who holds it, and whether there is a mortgage, caveat or dispute registered against it. An advocate can run this for you — never skip it.
3. Match the boundaries on the ground
Compare the survey plan / deed plan to the physical plot. Walk the beacons. Encroachment and overlapping plots are the most common cause of disputes in Dar.
4. Check the land use
Confirm the plot is zoned residential. A surprising number of "homes" sit on plots surveyed for other uses, which can block financing and resale.
5. Inspect beyond the photos
Visit at different times of day. Test water pressure, the backup generator or solar, mobile signal, and how the road and drainage cope during the rains.
- Does it flood in the long rains (March–May)? Ask the neighbours, not just the seller.
- Is mains water connected, or is it borehole / delivered by truck?
- Is there a TANESCO meter in the property's name, with no arrears?
6. Verify utilities and bills are clear
Unpaid water, electricity or service-charge bills can follow the property. Ask for recent receipts and confirm there are no arrears before transfer.
7. Understand the true cost
The sticker price is not the total. Budget for stamp duty, transfer and registration fees, valuation, and legal costs. See our guide on what buying really costs.
8. Get an independent valuation
A registered valuer tells you what the property is actually worth — useful for negotiating and essential if you are borrowing.
9. Put everything in writing
A proper sale agreement, drafted or reviewed by an advocate, should set out the price, payment schedule, what is included, and what happens if either side pulls out.
10. Use the right people
A verified agent, an advocate for the conveyancing, and a registered valuer. On eSoko, verified agents carry a badge — and you can always ask to see a title before you commit.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Laws, fees and rates in Tanzania change. Confirm the specifics with a registered advocate / conveyancer, the relevant authority, or your lender before you act.
Common questions
What documents should I ask for before buying a house in Tanzania?
Ask for the Certificate of Title or Certificate of Right of Occupancy, the seller's National ID or passport, the survey or deed plan, and recent receipts for land rent, water and electricity. If someone is selling on the owner's behalf, ask for a written, signed power of attorney.
Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Tanzania?
Using an advocate is strongly recommended. They run the official Land Registry search, draft or review the sale agreement and handle the transfer. Their fee is small next to the price of the property and it is the best protection against a fake or disputed title.
When is it safe to pay a deposit on a house?
Pay only after the official title search has come back clean and both sides have signed a written sale agreement. Pay by traceable bank transfer, ideally in tranches tied to clear milestones, and keep every receipt.
How do I check whether a house floods in Dar es Salaam?
Visit during or just after the long rains (March to May), look at how the road and drains cope, and ask the neighbours rather than only the seller. Low-lying plots near rivers and drainage channels carry the most risk.
What costs come on top of the purchase price?
Budget for stamp duty, Land Registry registration and transfer fees, a registered valuation and legal fees. Ask your advocate for an itemised estimate before you commit, because rates change.
Official sources
Check the current rules, fees and forms with the authority itself:
